Visa Wait Times

Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the information provided below. Then select the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply for specific wait time information, which includes:

The typical wait time to receive an interview appointment to apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. (For emergency appointment requests: After checking the wait time where you will apply, if an expedited interview appointment is needed earlier due to an emergent situation, visit the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website where you will find specific instructions about making the request.)

The typical wait time for your visa to be processed refers to the time it typically takes for your visa to be ready for pick-up or delivery by courier after the Consular Officer has made the decision to issue the visa.

These estimates do not include time required for administrative processing, which may affect a small number of applications. If necessary, this additional processing is usually resolved within 60 days of application, though some cases may take longer. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case. Visit our Administrative Processing webpage to learn more.

In addition, it is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Embassy and Consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.

Typical Wait Time (Workdays**) for a Nonimmigrant Visa To Be Processed****: 1 Day

*Calendar days refer to every day of the week, including days when embassies are closed (such as weekends and holidays).
**Work days refer only to days when the embassy is open and does not include weekends and holidays.
*** The All Other Nonimmigrant Visa wait time DOES NOT include K or V visa applications, which are processed similar to immigrant visas. A and G applications are excluded from these wait times, as they are processed separately.
****IMPORTANT NOTE: Processing wait time DOES NOT include the time required for additional special clearance or administrative processing. These procedures require additional time. Most special clearances are resolved within 30 days of application. When additional administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system.